Three-time Premiership defender Chelsea Randall will again lead the Crows AFLW side with her reign as Captain extended into a seventh season.

Randall, an inaugural member of Adelaide’s team, will be the standalone skipper for a third campaign in a row, while fellow defender Sarah Allan is Vice Captain.

They are both part of an unchanged leadership group, which includes the experienced Stevie-Lee Thompson, Ebony Marinoff and Eloise Jones.

The leadership group was voted on by all players during a pre-season training camp in Darwin last week.

As part of the process to select the group, players had input into the trademarks they wanted their leaders to show and those who they believed best typified them.

Their recommendation was then endorsed by the Board, senior management and Senior Coach Matthew Clarke.

Randall said she had grown as not only a player, but also a person since first taking on the role in the Crows’ inaugural AFLW season, and was confident of becoming an even stronger leader.

“I am honoured to lead this incredible group again and I can’t wait to continue to help them develop into the best footballers and people they can be,” Randall said.

“I truly believe you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with and I’m extremely fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best.

“The passion, determination and commitment the players, staff and coaches display is exceptional to say the least. 

“We have worked so hard at creating such an inclusive culture at Adelaide and I have no doubt the bonds we have created will only get stronger this season.

“I expect this coming AFLW Season to be the best yet with all 18 Clubs involved and we look forward to another exciting challenge as we look to defend our Premiership.”

Clarke said Randall had done an exceptional job over the past six seasons and typified the side’s culture.

“Chelsea is a natural-born leader and is passionate about helping her teammates get better,” Clarke said.

“She is an elite player with so much knowledge and experience, but more importantly, Chelsea is a really kind and compassionate person.

“To have Chelsea lead these strong women for a seventh season is a credit to her and we are pleased to have her as our Captain again.”

Clarke said an unchanged leadership and the Club’s ability to retain 25 players from the Season Six Premiership squad provided stability for the women’s program.

“Sarah, Stevie-Lee, Eloise, and Ebony are still relatively young in age but have developed into such strong leaders for us,” Clarke said.

“They all deserve to be in the leadership group again and be given more of an opportunity to further develop in that space.

“We have added five players to our list from this past season and they are training hard, quickly earning the respect of their new teammates.”